In an effort to raise awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of children on a local, national and global scale, the Tulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council is hosting the 9th Annual Cynthia Lockhart-Mummery Conference, which will focus on such exploitation, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday.

The conference is intended to give attendees a better understanding of commercial sexual child exploitation and what needs to be done to combat it.

Many may think human trafficking is not a local issue, but Billie Shawl — coordinator for the Tulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council — said that’s far from true.

“We have stories in this county, of people trafficking their own children,” Shawl said. “And we need to pay attention. And the gangs we understand are getting in there because it’s so lucrative financially.”

Attendees to the conference will walk away with more understanding of the signs of commercially sexually exploited children and the services and resources needed for victims of such exploitation.

Attendees can also help in developing an action plan to address exploitation in Tulare County.

The conference will include presentations by experts of the topic, including Rick Castro, a San Diego sheriff deputy who has investigated commercial and sexual exploitation of children in North County San Diego.

Castro is also the author of “Special Report: Human Trafficking: The Hidden Pandemic.”

Chris Stambaugh, the founder and director of the faith-based anti-trafficking network The Grace Network, will also speak at the event, along with Sandra Morgan, an administrator of the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force.

Diana Cisneros of Bakersfield will also present her story to audience members from a survivor’s point of view.

This all-day event will include a continental breakfast and hot lunch.